sharno's bloghttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blogs/sharno
enRemembering Jennihttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/remembering-jenni
<p><span class="inline inline-left"><a href="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/Jenni and the army.preview.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(959, 640, 503); return false;"><img class="image image-preview " src="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/Jenni and the army.preview.jpg" alt="Jenni Rempel" title="Jenni Rempel" height="620" border="0" width="780" /></a><span class="caption" style="width: 638px;"><strong>Jenni Rempel </strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="inline inline-left"><span class="caption" style="width: 638px;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #000000;"><span class="inline inline-left">I love this picture of Jenni, as it reminds me of how full of fun she was and her spunky ideas!</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
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<td><span style="color: #10131a; font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial;">Jenni was a gifted actress and singer with so much to offer the world, both on stage and off. We were privileged to have her as part of our troupe in Agnes of God and most recently as Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<p><span style="color: #10131a; font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #10131a; font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial;">There never seems to be the right words to express our collective sorrow and anger and hurt when someone so young is taken from us much too soon. But we can at least share our pain and memories of Jenni and celebrate the brief time that we knew her. </span></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Please join Jenni Rempel's family and friends for a celebration of her life on</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> Sunday, September 4th at 1:00 pm&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>at The ACT in Maple Ridge</strong></span></div>
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bardThu, 01 Sep 2016 22:30:36 +0000sharno960 at http://www.emeraldpig.caThe Gaye LePage Spotlight Awardhttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/gaye-lepage-spotlight-award
<p><strong>The Gaye LePage Spotlight Award 2015</strong></p>
<p><strong>Sponsored by Expect Theatre</strong></p>
<p><strong>presented to <span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: large;">Beverly E. Pride</span> at the 2015 Fraser Valley Zone Festival<br /></strong></p>
<p>Bev has been involved in every possible job and position <em>except</em> as a Director of a production in the regular season of a theatre. She has though directed, mentored, guided, many youth theatre shows.</p>
<p>In the nearly 20 years she’s decorated over 35 sets, designed 15, produced 15, staged managed 10, lights and sound design for 2, ran the technical part for 2, set designed, constructed and decorated sets for the youth shows. She has been a properties creator, manager and worked at many different jobs as backstage crew.</p>
<p>Bev’s acted in 9 shows, deciding after being in theatre for 5 years, tired of washing toilets and painting sets and was ready to become an "actress".&nbsp;&nbsp; Her first role was in the comedy, "A Good Man" in 2000, directed by Dale Kelly, she was lucky enough to receive the CTC's award for Best Actress in a Lead Role...which was a total surprise as she thought she had a supporting role. And she still came in early to clean the bathrooms.</p>
<p>She was the CTC representative for SLT for 1 season and realized the greater picture of community theatre in BC and then even a bigger appreciation after her first Theatre BC production in 1998 with a SLT production called <em>Eat Your Heart Out.</em></p>
<p>Bev’s had the privilege of receiving many CTC and TBC Best this and that awards (I. e. Set Design and Set Decorating; Best Production) and have appreciated the accolades from my peers.&nbsp; The greater award for Bev, though, is the one received from the patrons of community theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp; She says there is nothing like the laughter, tears and cheers of an appreciative audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Bev was involved in the Youth Theatre Program for Surrey Little Theatre, 1996 to 2001.&nbsp; She was producer/director/coordinator, along with various other members of Surrey Little Theatre, for the summer youth program that ran from May to July.&nbsp; And for the last 2 years, has been the coordinator for the Bard in the Valley summer camps.</p>
<p>Her education in Community Theatre is mostly by experience in doing the job, however she have attended many workshops over the years, including ones from directors Dean Paul Gibson, Stephen Drover, Marco Hohlbein and Lou Lou Leroux.&nbsp;</p>
<p>She’s attended workshops in Lighting and Sound design with Jim Garnett and Des Renard, Costume design with Pat McLean and Bunny Pattison.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As Stage Manager of a show, including one where the producer hit the lead actor in the face on opening night, Bev’s been able to absorb the work done by the director.</p>
<p>Bev has worked with SLT directors JP Slater, Martin Shepherd, Lisa Shepherd, Dwayne Campbell, Alaina Holland, and Dale Kelly.&nbsp; At LP, worked with Helen Embury, Dave Williams, Mary Renvall, Marco Hohlbein and Rita Price.&nbsp; At Emerald Pig, Bev has worked on various sets with Sharon Malone, John Stuart and Cathie Young.</p>
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communityWed, 27 May 2015 05:53:47 +0000sharno871 at http://www.emeraldpig.caFraser Valley Zone Festival 2015http://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/fraser-valley-zone-festival-2015
<p>Here are the award winners from the 2015 Fraser Valley Zone festival in Langley. Once again the Langley Players have outdone themselves with their hospitality and amazing "dinner critique" fare! It was, as always, an educational week of interesting, thought-provoking drama, with plenty of laughs and few tears. Thanks to Douglas Newell for his insightful adjudications.</p>
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<p>Outstanding Production -Sponsored by Langley Players Drama Club</p>
<p><strong>The Chilliwack Players Guild&nbsp; - </strong><em>Miss Somewhere</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Director - Sponsored by Chilliwack Players Guild</p>
<p>Cait Archer<strong> The Chilliwack Players Guild&nbsp; </strong></p>
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<p>Outstanding Actress - Sponsored by Emerald Pig Theatrical Society</p>
<p>Geneva Perkins as Allison<strong> The Chilliwack Players Guild&nbsp; - </strong><em>Miss Somewhere</em></p>
<p><em>Judith Betzler </em><strong>Langley Players Drama Club</strong><em>&nbsp; Escape from Happiness</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Actor - Sponsored by Stage 43 Theatrical Society</p>
<p>Matt Janzen as Tony- <strong>Best Actor</strong> <strong>The Chilliwack Players Guild&nbsp; - </strong><em>Miss Somewhere</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Supporting Actress - Sponsored by Opening Nite Theatre Society</p>
<p>Krista Drury-<strong> Opening Nite Theatre Society</strong> – <em>Crimes of the Heart</em><a href="#_msocom_1">[MR1]</a>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Outstanding Supporting Actor - Sponsored by &nbsp;L.W. Coulter</p>
<p><strong><em>Chris Carver - </em>Langley Players Drama Club</strong><em>&nbsp; Escape from Happiness</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Ensemble - Sponsored by CSOPA</p>
<p><em>Secrets of a Soccer Mom - </em><strong>&nbsp;Stage 43 </strong></p>
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<p>Outstanding Lighting Design - Sponsored by Township of Langley</p>
<p><strong>Angela Bell&nbsp; - Surrey Little Theatre </strong>- <em>Truth and Reconciliation</em>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Outstanding Sound Design - Sponsored by Peter Walton</p>
<p>June Ainsworth Surrey Little Theatre - Truth and Reconciliation</p>
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<p>Outstanding Set Design - Sponsored by Surrey Little Theatre</p>
<p>Randy Holmes<strong>Opening Nite Theatre Society</strong> – <em>Crimes of the Heart</em><a href="#_msocom_2">[MR2]</a>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Outstanding Set Decorating/Properties - Sponsored by&nbsp;Cory Pride</p>
<p><strong><em>Vicki&nbsp; Nelson&nbsp; &amp; Karen McTavish - </em>Langley Players Drama Club</strong><em>&nbsp; Escape from Happiness</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Graphic Design - Sponsored by Township of Langley</p>
<p>Camille Atebe -<strong> Opening Nite Theatre Society</strong> – <em>Crimes of the Heart</em></p>
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<p>Outstanding Costume Design - Sponsored by Theatre in the Country</p>
<p>Bunny Patterson <strong>Langley Players Drama Club</strong><em>&nbsp; -&nbsp; Escape from Happiness </em></p>
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<p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
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<p><strong><em>Certificates </em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Surrey Little Theatre </strong>- Truth and Reconciliation&nbsp;&nbsp; Chris Francisque - Certificate for character dialect</p>
<p><strong>Surrey Little Theatre </strong>- Truth and Reconciliation&nbsp; &nbsp;SLT –Show must go on</p>
<p><strong>The Chilliwack School of Performing Arts -</strong>Sunspots&nbsp;Dramatic commitment</p>
<p><strong>Theatre in the Country</strong>- Educating Rita - Jessica Tabak -Certificate for character dialect.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Theatre in the Country</strong>-Educating Rita The quick change award for "invisibility and lightning speed"&nbsp; SM<strong> Laura Cramer </strong></p>
<p><strong>Langley Players Drama Club </strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Escape from Happiness<strong> Shane Rochon - Best Minion </strong></p>
<p>Backstage Cooperation Award - Sponsored by Langley Players Drama Club</p>
<p>The Chilliwack Players Guild&nbsp; - Miss Somewhere</p>
<p><strong><em>Fraser Valley Zone of Theatre BC</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Zone Recognition&nbsp;Award 2015</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Chilliwack School of Performing Arts</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>&nbsp; In memory of </em></strong><strong><em>Emily</em></strong><em><strong> Janzen</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></p>
<p><em>&nbsp;How&nbsp;far this little candle throws his beams!<br /> So shines a good deed in a naughty world.<br /> ~&nbsp;William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice</em></p>
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<p><strong>The Gaye Lepage Spotlight Award 2015</strong></p>
<p><strong>Bev Pride</strong></p>
<p><strong>Beverly E. Pride</strong></p>
<p>She has been involved in every possible job and position <em>except</em> as a Director of a production in the regular season of a theatre. She has though directed, mentored, guided, many youth theatre shows.</p>
<p>In the nearly 20 years she’s decorated over 35 sets, designed 15, produced 15, staged managed 10, lights and sound design for 2, ran the technical part for 2, set designed, constructed and decorated sets for the youth shows. She has been a properties creator, manager and worked at many different jobs as backstage crew.</p>
<p>Bev’s acted in 9 shows, deciding after being in theatre for 5 years, tired of washing toilets and painting sets and was ready to become an "actress".&nbsp;&nbsp; Her first role was in the comedy, "A Good Man" in 2000, directed by Dale Kelly, she was lucky enough to receive the CTC's award for Best Actress in a Lead Role...which was a total surprise as she thought she had a supporting role. And she still came in early to clean the bathrooms.</p>
<p>She was the CTC representative for SLT for 1 season and realized the greater picture of community theatre in BC and then even a bigger appreciation after her first Theatre BC production in 1998 with a SLT production called <em>Eat Your Heart Out.</em></p>
<p>Bev’s had the privilege of receiving many CTC and TBC Best this and that awards (I. e. Set Design and Set Decorating; Best Production) and have appreciated the accolades from my peers.&nbsp; The greater award for Bev, though, is the one received from the patrons of community theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp; She says there is nothing like the laughter, tears and cheers of an appreciative audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Bev was involved in the Youth Theatre Program for Surrey Little Theatre, 1996 to 2001.&nbsp; She was producer/director/coordinator, along with various other members of Surrey Little Theatre, for the summer youth program that ran from May to July.&nbsp; And for the last 2 years, has been the coordinator for the Bard in the Valley summer camps.</p>
<p>Her education in Community Theatre is mostly by experience in doing the job, however she have attended many workshops over the years, including ones from directors Dean Paul Gibson, Stephen Drover, Marco Hohlbein and Lou Lou Leroux.&nbsp;</p>
<p>She’s attended workshops in Lighting and Sound design with Jim Garnett and Des Renard, Costume design with Pat McLean and Bunny Pattison.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As Stage Manager of a show, including one where the producer hit the lead actor in the face on opening night, Bev’s been able to absorb the work done by the director.</p>
<p>Bev has worked with SLT directors JP Slater, Martin Shepherd, Lisa Shepherd, Dwayne Campbell, Alaina Holland, and Dale Kelly.&nbsp; At LP, worked with Helen Embury, Dave Williams, Mary Renvall, Marco Hohlbein and Rita Price.&nbsp; At Emerald Pig, Bev has worked on various sets with Sharon Malone, John Stuart and Cathie Young.</p>
communityshowsWed, 27 May 2015 05:46:25 +0000sharno870 at http://www.emeraldpig.caWorld Theatre Day 2015http://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/world-theatre-day-2015
<p>The following is not my writing. It is from the <a href="http://www.gvpta.ca/" target="_blank">Greater Vancouver Theatre Alliance</a>, but I felt compelled to share it as tomorrow, March 27, is <a href="http://www.gvpta.ca/world-theatre-day/" target="_blank">World Theatre Day</a>.</p>
<p><cite>This week we celebrate World Theatre Day (March 27th) and last week, World Day of Theatre for Children &amp; Young People (March 20th). It’s a funny business, this business we call “show business”…. according to PBS, in 534 or 535 BC a wandering bard named Thespis leapt onto the back of a cart and recited poetry as if he were the characters involved – and from Thespis came “thespians”…actors. <br /> Here, in what eventually became known as Canada, we have a rich theatrical history of o<span class="text_exposed_show">ur own. In 2008, Yvette Nolan wrote “before the idea of Canada, long before Vikings set foot on the island now known as Newfoundland”, for perhaps 15,000 years, the Aboriginal people incorporated performance into their daily lives – singing, dancing, storytelling, drumming, using masks and costumes*. <br /> Contemporary western theatre in Canada is much more recent – arguably, it is less than 100 years old. Perhaps the “founding father” is Vincent Massey. In 1922 his article The Prospects of a Canadian Drama, stated we must be actively concerned with "the process of education. We must create our public, and the instrument of its creation will be, of course, a new Canadian theatre". In 1951 his Massey Report sparked the foundation of the Canada Council, among other initiatives. <br /> On World Theatre Day, let’s acknowledge those who came before us, who carved the path we walked today. We stand on the shoulders of thousands of artists who led the way for us.</span></cite></p>
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<p><cite>*Yvette Nolan, <a href="http://www4.nac-cna.ca/pdf/eth/aboriginal_theatre.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www4.nac-cna.ca/pdf/eth/aboriginal_theatre.pdf</a></cite></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-left"><a href="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/Sharon-Malone.preview.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(850, 640, 427); return false;"><img class="image image-thumbnail " src="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/Sharon-Malone.thumbnail.jpg" alt="Sharon Malone" title="Sharon Malone" height="67" border="0" width="100" /></a><span class="caption" style="width: 98px;"><strong>Sharon Malone</strong></span></span></p>
<p>Whatever you choose to do tomorrow, please take a few minutes to think about live theatre and how it impacts your life. What was the last show you attended? Why did you attend? How did the experience affect you?</p>
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communityFri, 27 Mar 2015 03:17:09 +0000sharno862 at http://www.emeraldpig.ca2014 President's Reporthttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/2014-presidents-report
<p><strong><span class="inline inline-left"><a href="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/IMG_0959.preview.JPG" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(564, 480, 640); return false;"><img class="image image-thumbnail " src="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/IMG_0959.thumbnail.JPG" alt="" title="" height="127" width="95" border="0" /></a></span>&nbsp; President’s Report 2014&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sept. 28, 2014</strong></p>
<p>Our 2013-2014 season, our 12<sup>th</sup> season, was filled with magic, relationships, time travel and even a rocket ship! Places and things you can only experience on stage. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe brought the magic of Narnia to life through the eyes of directors Kathleen Hatley and Simon Challenger and a tremendous team of costumers, make up artists, set designers and technical magicians. The Attic, The Pearls and 3 Fine Girls, as envisioned by Amy Starkey, was no less remarkable. The play took us on a wonderful merri-go-round through our memories to revisit our relationships with our siblings and examine the meaning of “family”. For the third year in a row, Emerald Pig represented the Fraser Valley Zone at Theatre BC’s Mainstage drama festival in Kamloops and the team came home with the thespian award for Best Ensemble and Best Backstage Cooperation. Our summer Bard on the Bandstand production of Much Ado About Nothing took Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge by storm with a giant rocketship and a transporter! But by far the most “far out” element of the show was the live band, Tiger Mountain Peasants, weaving amazing songs and live effects through the entire play and bringing the audiences to their feet night after night! &nbsp;It wasn’t without its stressors, ups and downs, and huge challenges, but that’s part of the creative package. All in all, it was a wonderful season!</p>
<p>As many of you know, I have decided to step down as President of Emerald Pig this year. It has been a fabulous journey with many theatrical accolades and successes and many wonderful memories of many wonderful shows. I am not leaving the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I will stay on the board for another year as “Past President”, but in order to achieve longevity and a truly community-based theatrical company, there must be growth and change and new directions. This season has brought us new members, new directors, more awards and strengthened our presence in the community, which now boasts the title <strong>City of Maple Ridge. </strong>It is now time for a new leader.</p>
<p>I am confident that our new leaders will work hard on behalf of all of our members and our quest for a permanent “home” for Emerald Pig is very close at hand. Keep supporting Emerald Pig in reaching this goal. As David Lam said at the 1990 BC Festival of the Arts, “The arts are the soul of the community and visitors as well as residents will be attracted to such a healthy community.”</p>
<p><strong>Respectfully,</strong></p>
<p><strong>Sharon Malone, retiring President</strong></p>
aboutWed, 01 Oct 2014 07:15:31 +0000sharno805 at http://www.emeraldpig.caThis Little Piggie is an Artist!http://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/little-piggie-artist
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<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed"><span class="inline inline-left"><a href="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/EPTS logo large.preview.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(588, 640, 329); return false;"><img class="image image-thumbnail " src="http://www.emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/EPTS logo large.thumbnail.jpg" alt="EPTS logo" title="EPTS logo" border="0" width="100" height="51" /></a><span class="caption" style="width: 98px;"><strong>EPTS logo</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">We are excited that Tammy Routley, the designer of our very own Emerald Pig logo, now has some owls that she is releasing into the world. We hope you will all take in one of these shows:<br /> <br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">The "Positively Petite" show at Place Des Arts in Coquitlam. Opening is Thursday, Nov. 14th, 7-9pm. Runs until Dec.20th. <br /> I have 6 little (3"x4") paintings here. They each have different coloured backgrounds and a Shakespeare quote (like "Assume A Virtue above). These are $30 each.<br /> <span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> The "Ensemble" show at Maple Ridge Art Gallery. Opening is Saturday, Nov. 16th, 2-4pm. I will be there, so say "hi" if you drop in! Runs until Dec.20th. <br /> In this show I have 7 pieces (3 are shown below). They are 3"x4", 6"x6", and 8"x8", and cost $30, $70, $90.<br /> <br /> I'm very excited about my little owls leaving the nest and going out into the art world! Hope you get a chance to see them!<br /> <br /> Tammy Routley</span></div>
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communityWed, 13 Nov 2013 04:24:51 +0000sharno717 at http://www.emeraldpig.caLooking Back by Claus Andruphttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/looking-back-claus-andrup
<p><strong>Thanks to Val Patenaude for sharing this!</strong></p>
<p><strong>Maple Ridge: Act One</strong></p>
<p><em>Our earliest recorded theatre performances</em></p>
<p><strong>LOOKING BACK</strong></p>
<p><em>Claus Andrup</em></p>
<p><span class="inline inline-right"><a href="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/12272_archives.preview.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(714, 514, 640); return false;"><img class="image image-img_assist_custom-200x249 " src="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/12272_archives.img_assist_custom-200x249.jpg" style="float: right;" border="0" height="249" width="200" /></a></span>At the time of settlement in Maple Ridge the world was over a hundred years away from the advent of computers, the internet and the digital life which now dominates so much of our time. In that pre-digital era, rather than having to fight off information every day, we hungered for it. And theatre played an important role in communicating ideas and modern notions.</p>
<p>Who then staged the first theatrical production ever in Maple Ridge?</p>
<p>Finding examples of formal theatre productions in our history is not easy, due partly perhaps to the fact most entertainment was left to the imagination of the children of our early settlers. The youngsters doubtless took it upon themselves to amuse their families with skits, made impromptu on dull Sunday afternoons, in the dead of a valley winter.</p>
<p>The Haney, Hammond, Hampton and Laity families may have written letters or memoirs recalling those family moments where little Judy or Ernie had the family rolling in laughter on the living room floor, but such personal records are hard to find. And Thomas Haney may, of course, have refrained from actually rolling on the floor, but one never knows.</p>
<p>Research into the early press, such as the <em>Columbian</em>, and later the <em>Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Gazette </em>suggests that day-to-day life in Maple Ridge presented more high drama than the fabricated, theatrical kind.</p>
<p>So, when did Maple Ridge see its first theatrical production? Who was the playwright? Who were the players? Where was the play staged and who came to see it? What did a ticket cost? Was it a Shakespearean piece or was it contemporary? Most important; how was it received?</p>
<p>To answer the question of “where” a report in the <em>Columbian</em> <em>Saturday, January 14, 1893 </em>under the heading “Maple Ridge Enterprise” states: &nbsp;“The new public hall, built by the enterprise of the go-ahead people of Port Haney, was formally opened last night, a grand minstrel entertainment, followed by a supper and ball, being the features of the occasion.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Being a Port Haney resident myself I rather enjoyed the reference to “go-ahead people”.</p>
<p>The <em>Columbian</em> piece continues: “The first floor will be used for public meetings, concerts, plays, etc., and is neatly finished and furnished.&nbsp; The stage is large and well appointed, and two comfortable dressing rooms make it most complete.&nbsp; The auditorium will seat 300 people comfortably.”&nbsp; Seats 300? Over 100 hundred years later the newly built ACT seats 500. A bit of a demographic puzzle I think.</p>
<p>The following quote in the Columbian headed <em>Port Hammond Jottings</em> on Friday February 10 1893 appears to be the first sign of organized theatre in Maple Ridge: “The inhabitants of our little burgh are forming an amateur dramatic society and, if rehearsals mean anything, the first piece, which comes off shortly in the Port Haney Town Hall, is bound to be a success.&nbsp; We understand that an admission will be charged, the proceeds to go towards purchasing an organ for the Methodist Church.&nbsp; We wish them every success in the venture.”</p>
<p>In the <em>Columbian </em>one finds that the closest reports to anything like theatre are references to choirs or musical performances arranged at local schools. The pages reveal that in the 1800s theatre as such played out on the stage of life and revolved around land use, water and weather and how those three characters acted out forming our future community, usually with Council Chambers as the setting. Apparently some things don’t change a whit.</p>
<p>The dying years of the 1800s saw theatre come to be imagination consciously manifest on stage in Maple Ridge.&nbsp; A correspondent writing the Columbian on Tuesday January 12, 1897 refers to the audience at a recital of the dialogue of “Five Old Maids” as: “…being kept in a state of <em>suppressed merriment</em> all through the dialogue.”&nbsp; He further notes that: “The applause at the end of this piece was just deafening, and really too much cannot be said in praise of the manner in which these young ladies gave this real funny piece.”</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-left"><a href="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/p02159.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(715, 300, 225); return false;"><img class="image image-_original " src="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/p02159.jpg" alt="Hammond Theatre" title="Hammond Theatre" style="float: left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;" border="0" height="225" width="300" /></a><span class="caption" style="width: 298px;"><strong>Hammond Theatre</strong></span></span></p>
<p>Almost 30 years later the <em>Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Gazette</em><em> </em><em>Thursday, March 2, 1924</em> reported the formation of a glee club and its first performance which was staged in the newly built Hammond Theatre.</p>
<p>In 1970 the Community Arts Council of Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows was founded on the rich artistic talents of the area and in 1971 the council incorporated as a society called the Community Arts Council of T'Lagunna, a First Nations word for "Golden Ears". Today, the Arts Council operates and manages the 500-seat ACT theatre.</p>
<p>In modern-day Maple Ridge theatre has become part of our regular cultural diet. From junior schools through senior secondary schools, interest in theatre remains high and audiences are not hard to find. Organizations such as the Emerald Pig continue to raise the bar by bringing more and more ambitious productions to our stages.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Later this month, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows will host one of the longest-running theatre traditions in Canada. Theatre B.C.’s MAINSTAGE 2006 will run from June 30 – July 8 at the Maple Ridge ACT. Tickets and information are available by calling The ACT at 604.476.2787.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Note: Claus Andrup’s late father, Hans, enjoyed a life-long career as a producer/director/actor in Sweden and Denmark, and later in South Africa and South West Africa (Namibia).</em></p>
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Thu, 27 Jun 2013 07:06:16 +0000sharno669 at http://www.emeraldpig.caTheatre History by Val Patenaudehttp://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/theatre-history-val-patenaude
<p>I am pleased to welcome "Guest Blogger", Val Patenaude to the Pig Pen. She sent me a couple of great articles about the history of theatre in Maple Ridge. I'll post the other one separately. It's written by Claus Andrup. I'll try to get some photos up here also.</p>
<p><strong>Theatre History&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong></p>
<p>By 1916, theatre had arrived in Maple Ridge.&nbsp; Its earliest forms were simple sketches, skits, or short plays called “Dialogues”.&nbsp; A few people with little or nothing in the way of props or sets could perform these in a small space – even in a home –.&nbsp; The first full costumed play on a stage appears to have been the performance at the Sampo Hall in Webster’s Corners of “The Karkurit” or “The Fugitives” which took place in January of 1916.&nbsp; This popular Finnish legend was performed by some of the early Finn arrivals in that community including members of the Skytte, Toikka, and Katainen families.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-center"><a href="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/P01014_archives.preview.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="launch_popup(713, 640, 401); return false;"><img class="image image-preview " src="http://emeraldpig.ca/sites/emeraldpig.ca/files/images/P01014_archives.preview.jpg" alt="Maplr Ridge Glee Club 1928: The Maple Ridge Glee Club on the stage of the Hammond Hall, ready to perform “The Geisha” in February of 1928." title="Maplr Ridge Glee Club 1928: The Maple Ridge Glee Club on the stage of the Hammond Hall, ready to perform “The Geisha” in February of 1928." border="0" height="401" width="640" /></a><span class="caption"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span class="inline inline-center"><span class="caption"><strong>Maplr Ridge Glee Club 1928: </strong>The Maple Ridge Glee Club on the stage of the Hammond Hall, ready to perform “The Geisha” in February of 1928.</span></span></p>
<p>By the 1920’s, an increased population and the existence of some sort of hall with a stage in each historic neighbourhood inspired the development of theatre and musical performance groups.&nbsp; The Maple Ridge Glee Club, the Trinity Dramatic Society, and church youth groups like the St. Andrew’s Youth Group, were all performing in venues around town.&nbsp; A “glee” was a vocal composition for three or more parts sung ‘a capella’ or without instruments.&nbsp; However, Glee Clubs did not restrict themselves to this form and also did other types of musical performance, orations, dialogues, and plays small and large.</p>
<p>In the photo of the Maple Ridge Glee Club performance of “The Geisha”, the size of the cast, their detailed costume and makeup, and the stage dressing show that this was no thrown together affair.&nbsp; Other plays performed included “The Mikado”, "Ain't It the Truth", "Lady Be Good", and "Gilded Youth".</p>
<p>An unusual form of entertainment at the Sampo Hall was a “mock wedding” where the community would be teased with tid-bits about these mysterious upcoming nuptials, ending with a farcical performance on the stage at the hall as the two – inevitably two men – were joined in mock matrimony.&nbsp; The Finnish Youth Group also performed plays in Finnish.&nbsp; These were usually based on Finnish legends and taught history while they entertained.</p>
<p>In later years, groups like the “Merry Makers” took up where the Glee clubs left off.&nbsp; Formed in the early 1950’s, the club performed vaudeville routines and comedy sketches as well as song and dance routines, mostly for charitable fund-raising events.&nbsp; Former Mayor Belle Morse was a leading light in that group and drew current mayor, her daughter Kathy, into performing when she was only seven years old.</p>
<p>Another interesting form of local theatre was the Puppet Theatre of the University Women’s Club.&nbsp; Performing plays often written by club member and high school teacher Louise Poole, the group entertained children and adults alike in local schools and libraries.</p>
<p>Probably the worst time for theatre in Maple Ridge was when the Maple Ridge Players lost their performance and practice space in the old church on 228<sup>th</sup> Street.&nbsp; Prior to that, the active and professional theatre group had performed in their own space as well as at the Fair and other venues for many years, winning awards at the provincial level.&nbsp; After struggling for a few years with a critical lack of storage and practice space, the group folded.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It is interesting to note that our new theatre – the ACT – is about to open just a stones throw away from the location of the old Aggie Hall where so much theatre was performed, followed by the sound of happy, dancing feet.</p>
<p>Associated photo: P01014</p>
<p>The Maple Ridge Glee Club on the stage of the Hammond Hall, ready to perform “The Geisha” in February of 1928.</p>
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<p>Submitted by Val Patenaude, April 17, 2003</p>
Thu, 27 Jun 2013 06:58:38 +0000sharno668 at http://www.emeraldpig.caEmerald Pig needs a home.http://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/emerald-pig-needs-home
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">2013-06-26</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I've sold my house! Great - now what???? So many possibilities and exciting adventures ahead, but what about Emerald Pig? My entire garage is chock-a-block full of costumes, props and Emerald Pig paraphernalia!&nbsp; The need for a space of our own has reached a critical mass! I know I've said this before, but there's nothing like a deadline to motivate you to get things done!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to Maria and Roxanne at the Maple Ridge Times for highlighing our plight and helping gain the traction we need with the city and the Arts Council. The wheels are turning! <a href="http://www.mrtimes.com/entertainment/Emerald+Pigs+hope+find+home+call+their/8551890/story.html" target="_blank">Click here for the full story.</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>A Brief History of Community Theatre in Maple Ridge</strong><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought it would be good to share a bit of the history - someone should really write this stuff down properly. Maybe I'll talk to Val Patenaude or Sheila Nichols.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometime before John and I arrived in Maple Ridge, there was a community theatre group called Maple Ridge Players. They had a small but serviceable theatre that had once been a church. Unfortunately, the foundation failed and was deemed unsalvageable by the city. The building was torn down. It was not replaced. Maple Ridge Players ceased to exist.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> Around 2000, the Cross House in Maple Ridge Park, was in need of help. A call went out to community groups to take over the building, but no one took up the cause. &nbsp;The house fell further and further into disrepair. John and I were new to Maple Ridge and were looking for a theatre group to connect with. In 2001 we started Emerald Pig and looked around for a possible building. I discovered the Cross House 2 days before it was slated for demolition. Too late.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> We started rehearsing at Sampo Hall, paying a pittance, but it was all we could afford and all there was. Thank goodness for Alex and his wife who owned the hall. They gave us a key and we just signed in and out and kept a running tally of our hours. They told us the story of the hall and how the Finns had settled here and built it and painted a beautiful mural on the back wall. They hoped the building and land could be sold to the city and preserved as part of a larger plan for the area. But it was not to be. They both died within a month of each other and now the hall sits empty, boarded up and unused. How long before it will have to be torn down?</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> Brenda Findlayson, the executive director of the Arts Council at the time we started in 2002, was very supportive and helpful in obtaining small grants for us on a show by show basis. She assured us that soon there would be a fabulous new theatre for community groups to perform in.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> We found a temporary home for a while at Ruskin Hall and performed a few dinner theatre productions out there to capacity crowds. We ran our own bar and a charter bus came out and brought a group of seniors.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> When the ACT opened, we bought a seat. We had hope for community theatre and booked one of the first productions in December 2003, The Legend of Santa Pig, with a live band on stage and whole barnyard full of animals and kids. It was a great family show and we met another friend and sponsor, Louise Warren, who loaned us her dance studio for rehearsal along with her young dancers.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> We have spent many dollars in support of the arts in Maple Ridge and sustained Emerald Pig when there were no grants and when grants dried up. Emerald Pig has supported countless events and charities with donations of tickets, raffle prizes and services. We have dressed up, facepainted, loaned props, costumes and sets at the drop of a hat. These have included the Hospital Foundation Gala, Canada Day, Pitt Meadows Day, the Mayor’s Heritage Tea, Webster’s Corners Days, Literacy Day, Christmas Festival, Arts Day, Rivers Day, Earth Day and many others. As John pointed out, we have also hosted 2 Mainstages, 2006 and 2009, bringing tourism dollars to the community, much needed revenue to the ACT, as well as profiling Maple Ridge as a destination for high caliber theatre.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> I want to be very clear that this is not about The ACT versus community theatre. The ACT is a wonderful venue for community theatre when the production is appropriate to a 350-500 seat theatre. The Legend of Santa Pig, Nunsensations, and A Christmas Carol were well attended and looked amazing on the main stage of the ACT. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be on the main stage in December and will be fabulous! Dinner theatre in the Genstar Studio Theatre, has also been produced successfully many times (Faith County 2: An Evening of Culture, Har! The Pirate Play, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, The Odd Couple, Butterflies Are Free). </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> However, in recent years, we have had much more difficulty staging an event over two weekends because of the competition for performance space and/or programming on the Main Stage that directly competes for audience or interferes with the performance due to noise bleeding through from the main theatre to the Genstar. I see the problem as threefold:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;">too many groups competing for the same (limited) time slots in the theatre’s programming schedule - this is a good problem to have from a business perspective, but not from an artistic one </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;">the programming process itself – the ACT must be managed in order to make money. This leaves very little room for small events that do not draw the musical theatre audience or children and will not generate a large percentage of ticket revenue over and above the regular rental rate. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;">the ACT is not the right venue for small, intimate productions that challenge audiences, engage audiences and reflect life through the art. A different experience in a different venue is needed. The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls, our festival production next season, is still looking for another venue.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> There have been numerous opportunities for the city to support the arts and demonstrate through its actions and policies the value it places on community theatre over the years. There has been much lip service paid, but nothing seems to change. I have never been invited to a meeting with a planning committee or asked for any input on proposals. The message and the mindset seems to be that we should be grateful for the ACT and that should be enough for community theatre. We are grateful for the ACT, but it isn’t enough.</span></p>
aboutcommunityWed, 26 Jun 2013 14:10:41 +0000sharno667 at http://www.emeraldpig.caPresident's Message: Our 11th season: 2013http://www.emeraldpig.ca/index.php?q=blog/%5Buser%5D/presidents-message-our-11th-season-2013
<p>Welcome to our new season; our 11<sup>th</sup> season. We took a bit of a hiatus this fall and it felt good to have a bit of a break. In eleven years, we have produced <span style="font-size: large; color: #008000;"><strong>37 plays</strong></span>, including productions that traveled to the <strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;">Vancouver Fringe Festival, </span><span style="color: #ff00ff; font-size: medium;">Prince George</span></strong>, <span style="color: #800080;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Creston</span></strong></span>, <span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>Fort St. John</strong></span>, <strong><span style="color: #008080; font-size: medium;">Dawson Creek</span></strong> and last year to <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Kamloops</span></strong></span>, where we represented the <span style="color: #000080;"><strong>Fraser Valley Zone</strong></span> of Theatre BC as <strong><span style="color: #000080;">Best Production</span></strong> at Mainstage and came home with <span style="color: #000080;"><strong>Best Costumes</strong></span> and <span style="color: #000080;"><strong>Best Ensemble</strong></span> for <strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;">A Particular Class of Women</span></strong>. We co-hosted the 2006 <strong><span style="font-size: x-large; color: #0000ff;">Mainstage</span></strong> Provincial Drama Festival here at the ACT, and again in 2009, when we focused attention on the theme of the environment with our slogan <span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>“Go Green with Sharon and Kathleen!”</strong></span> We have supported countless community events, including <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Canada Day</span></strong>, <span style="color: #0000ff;">Pitt Meadows Day</span>, <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Earth Day</span></strong></span>, <strong><span style="color: #808000; font-size: small;">Heritage Day</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Rivers Day</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #993300;">Family Literacy Day</span></strong> and my personal favorite <strong><span style="color: #800080;">The Christmas Haven</span></strong>. We have marched in the rain and facepainted and dressed up in whatever crazy outfit the occasion called for – James Bond, <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Humphrey Bogart</span></strong></span>, go-go dancers, nuns, <strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #008080;">steampunk pirates</span></strong>, or the Royal family. We even stayed up all night on the bandstand the first year we did <strong><span style="font-size: large; color: #0000ff;">Shakespeare</span></strong> in the park because we couldn’t afford to pay for security back then!</p>
<p>Yes, it was nice to have a break. But we are so excited to be back and to bring you another fabulous season of plays that you will not see anywhere else! <span style="color: #800080;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tell Me On A Sunday</span></strong></span> is a beautiful, funny and touching story told entirely in song, by the delightful Robyn Van Luven. It is so fitting that this is our Valentine’s Day production – you will absolutely fall in love with the music and this show.</p>
<p>In May, you will see our next “festival” entry, <span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Trying</span></strong></span> by Joanna McClelland Glass, directed by Simon Challenger. This is a semi-autobiographical story of a young Canadian woman who goes to work for the former Attorney General of the United States, Francis Biddle, in his last year of life. She is hired by Biddle’s wife to help him put his affairs in order as his health is declining. It is a heartwarming story of two people at opposite ends of life’s journey, <strong><span style="font-size: large; color: #008000;">“trying”</span></strong> to understand each other. Don’t miss this award-winning play by an award-winning company!</p>
<p>But wait until July! <span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bard on the Bandstand</span></strong></span> 2013 promises to be <span style="color: #000000; font-size: large;"><strong>a midsummer’s nightmare!</strong></span> It’s time to bring on <span style="color: #800000;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Scottish Play</span></strong></span>. We can’t tell you the name (Shhhh! Don’t say it!), but it’s directed by Cathie Young, who wants you to get ready to <span style="color: #003300;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">play in the park … in the dark!</span></strong></span></p>
<p>And if you think this is our best season (which it is!), just wait til you see what we have in store for you next year!</p>
<p>Enjoy the show! ... and don't forget to thank our sponsors and fabulous local businesses that generously support the arts!</p>
<p>~ Sharon</p>
aboutcommunitySat, 02 Feb 2013 09:57:15 +0000sharno617 at http://www.emeraldpig.ca